Igh cny 178 oct14

in good Breastfeeding and the Workforce St. Joe’s Kerri Howell talks about the importance of breastfeeding after maternity leave

October 2014 • Issue 178

free FREE

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Life with Celiac Disease A mom’s dramatic first-person account of her daughter’s growing up with celiac disease

Page 14 Spirit of Women at Crouse teaches health information in a fun fashion

CRAWLING

Babies born in the winter start crawling earlier than those born in the summer Medical oncologist Gloria Morris talks about improvements in chemotherapy, and ‘genetic counseling’ as a way to prevent cancer

Formerly Conjoined Twins Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of Surgery

Whenever my friend goes on a diet, she quits eating olives.

“Too fatty,” she whines, “too caloric, too salty.”

Whenever I hear her lame excuses, I read her the Olive Riot Act. See SmartBites inside.

Page 11

Sarah House: A Home AwayMoms talk about from Home the importance of

breastfeeding after maternity leave and how they juggle work, breastfeeding Page 17 October 2014 •

Also Inside

When Your Spouse Has ADHD Page 916

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

Marijuana tops list of illicit substances used by Americans

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It also found that more than 14 percent of adults aged 18 and older said they received mental health treatment or counseling in the past year, and that nearly 44 million had a mental illness in 2013.

Ten million adults aged 18 and older said they had a serious mental illness in the past year that interfered with a major life activity, according to the report.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Recovery Month our nation can be proud of the strides made in successfully promoting the power of recovery from mental and substance use disorders,” SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde said in a government news release.

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early 10 percent of Americans aged 12 and older were illicit drug users in 2013, and almost 20 million said they used marijuana, making it the most widely used drug, U.S. health officials reported in September.

Two states, Colorado and Washington, permit the recreational use of marijuana.

The new study findings are from a government report outlining the extent of substance use and mental illness in the nation.

The report is based on an analysis of data from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

It also found that 4.5 million Americans aged 12 and older said they were current (past month) nonmedical users of prescription pain relievers, 1.5 million were cocaine users, 595,000 were methamphetamine users and 289,000 were heroin users.

Almost 23 million Americans aged 12 and older required treatment for drug or alcohol use, but only 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty facility, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

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FDA Approves New Obesity Drug

T

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a new weight-loss drug in September marks the third time the agency has given its blessing to a new diet medication since 2012.

Called Contrave, the medicine is a combination of two approved drugs: naltrexone, which treats alcohol and drug addiction, and bupropion, which treats depression and seasonal affective disorder and is used to help smokers quit.

The agency said in a news release that Contrave can be used by obese adults and by overweight adults who have at least one other weight-related condition or illness, such as high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults in the United States are obese, the FDA said in its news release.

“Obesity continues to be a major public health concern,” said physician Jean-Marc Guettier, director of the division of metabolism and endocrinology products with the FDA. “When used as directed in combination with a healthy lifestyle that includes a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, Contrave provides another treatment option for chronic weight management.”

Two years ago, the FDA approved two other prescription obesity drugs, the first such drugs endorsed in more than a decade. But those two drugs — Vivus’s Qsymia and Belviq, made

by Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai — haven’t sold well, according to news

sources.

Disappointing sales may reflect the common belief that obesity is a problem of willpower, not a medical condition that requires pharmaceutical treatment, experts told the newspaper.

Contrave was developed for people unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone who aren’t ready for weight-loss surgery.

The drug’s approval was based on the results of multiple trials involving 4,500 people. One trial found that 42 percent of people who took Contrave lost 5 percent of their body weight, compared to 17 percent who took a placebo. A second trial found 36 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes who took Contrave lost 5 percent of their body weight, while only 18 percent of those on a placebo did.

Because Contrave contains bupropion, the label will include a boxed warning about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors associated with antidepressants.

Contrave can also increase blood pressure, and should not be used in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, according to the FDA. It can also cause seizures, and should not be used by those with seizure disorders.

If it does not work after 12 weeks, the patient should stop taking it, the agency said.

Contrave’s maker, Orexigen Therapeutics of La Jolla, Calif., must also conduct additional safety trials that will look at possible heart risks and safety of use in children and teens, the FDA said.

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Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Madison Counties in good A monthly newspaper published by Local

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To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-342-1182.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: 315-342-1182 • Fax: 315-342-7776.

Brittonfield Medical Center

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Eva Briggs, M.D., Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, Deborah Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Matthew Liptak, Chris Motola, Jessica Spies • Advertising: Jasmine Maldonado, Marsha K. Preston, Jim Maxwell • Design: Chris Crocker • Office Manager: Laura J. Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

October 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Oct. 4 Surgical Weight Loss Options include

Gastric Sleeve • Lap Band Gastric Bypass

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Walk to End Alzheimer’s to draw thousands The Greater Syracuse Walk to End Alzheimer’s Presented by Lifetime Benefit Solutions will take place on Oct. 4 at Long Branch Park, Liverpool. More than 1,300 people from the region are expected at this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants will participate in a three-mile walk and will learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical trial enrollment, and support programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Each walker will also join in a meaningful tribute ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Start or join a team today at alz. org/walk, 315-472-4201 (Onondaga and Madison counties), 315-2941691 (Cayuga County), or 315-5964016 (Oswego County).

Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28

Meetings for depression, bipolar sufferers The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance will hold meetings at every Tuesday in the month of October. The meetings, for adults only, take place at 6:15 p.m. at Transitional Living Services, 420 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

According to organizers, the meetings allow participants the opportunity to reach out to others and benefit from the experience of those who have learned how to cope with mental health. For more information, call 478-4151 or visit www.dbsacentralnewyork.org.

Oct. 22

Breastfeeding essentials to be addressed The CNY Doula Connection will host speaker Jen Deshaies from Bluebird Birth & Breastfeeding who will be talking about three things breastfeeding families should know before the arrival of their newborn. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 22, at Cazenovia Library, 100 Albany St. in Cazenovia. No reservations required.

For more information, contact 395-3643

Oct. 28

Workshop scheduled for women who live alone “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own” is a threepart workshop offered for women who want to find joy again and gain the know-how to forge a meaningful Page 4

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

and enriching life on their own.

The workshop takes place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on three consecutive Tuesdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and 11 at House Content Bed & Breakfast, Mendon.

The workshop fee of $125 includes a Living Alone binder, empowerment exercises, and helpful resources.

To register, contact Gwenn Voelckers at 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Oct. 30

Men to Men to hold meeting about prostate cancer Upstate Men to Men prostate cancer support group will hold a meeting Oct. 30 6333 Route 298 E. Syracuse near carrier Circle. It’s open and free of charge. Participants will hear from Claire Rocuhe, a librarian from SUNY Upstate medical library, who will provide a live demo about finding reliable resources about prostate cancer.

For more information call Dan Mackessy at 315-446-4041 or email him at mackessydan@aol.com.

Alzheimer’s Association announces support group dates for October The challenges and emotions that come with caregiving for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia can be overwhelming. The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter invites local caregivers to join a community of their peers by attending a support group.

Caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be a stressful endeavor surrounded by anxiety, worry and guilt. Caregivers may feel as if they are alone in their journey. The reality is that a community of their peers exists to support one another. These peer- or professionally-led groups for individuals, caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia.

Caregiver support groups promote an open forum of sharing and discussion among people facing many of the same issues. The group’s power rests within its members’ ability to show compassion, develop strategies and empower its members to provide the highest quality care possible.

Early-stage groups provide peerto-peer conversation and support for individuals specifically diagnosed in the disease’s early stages. Groups are open to the individual with the disease and the caregiver (as noted). Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling the office nearest you.

All support groups are free of charge to attend and facilitated by trained individuals. For more information, call 1-800-272-3900 or

Continued on page 7

My Take

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Why Hospitals Ask for Your Social Security Number

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Your Social Security number is the main piece of information crooks want when they hack into a providers’ medical record system.

E

ver wonder why the doctor or hospital asks for your Social Security number even though you have valid insurance?

There is only one reason: in case you try to run and hide from your bill, collection agencies need your Social Security number to find you.

My informal survey of practice managers and billing companies, however, reveals that it is extremely rare for a patient who owes money to also leave or flee town. Your Social Security number is the main piece of information crooks want when they hack into a providers’ medical record system. In order to defraud Medicare, criminals need your number. My advice is to not give it. Providers do not really need it and it exposes them to all kinds of hacking attempts.

Walmart Care Forbes magazine reports the mega retailer has opened several primary care clinics in South Carolina and Texas. (New York state does not allow corporations to provide medical care).

The clinics will be open 12 hours weekdays and eight hours weekend days. According to Walmart, the general public will be charged only $40 a visit and Walmart employees, covered by the Walmart health plan, only $4.

Traditional providers (private medical practices, hospital sponsored practices, clinics and community health centers) are going to face more competition from “corporate providers” that see an opportunity to easily compete on price and access.

Center for Innovation The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created this department/bureaucracy — Center of Innovation — to experiment with ways to improve care and reduce costs. An example would be bundled physician and hospital payments to an Accountable Care Organization for certain diagnoses. Bundled payments are designed to eliminate unnecessary or duplicate tests and procedures, which account for 20 percent of total healthcare costs. The center’s budget is $1 billion which isn’t really a lot considering the government spends $1 trillion on Medicaid and Medicare. The center has not yet published any results saying they are still in the early stages of experiments.

Innovations must address health-

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care’s “Triple Aim.” First, improve the experience of care. Second, improve the overall health of Americans. Third, reduce the per capita cost of care.

How much is that again?

Your mechanic recommends a new transmission for your car and then says he has no idea how much it will cost. This doesn’t happen of course because there is price transparency and you need to know because you are paying for it. But in healthcare, neither the provider nor the patient typically knows how much a recommended procedure, test or drug costs because there is little price transparency and neither is paying for it thanks to third party insurance. Many providers find discussing costs with their patients just as uncomfortable as discussing end-oflife options with them. As healthcare is reformed, providers need to know the relationship between costs and outcomes. To counter this trend, many medical schools have introduced cost awareness classes. Students are trained to analyze actual doctor and hospital bills and to look for discrepancies between the primary diagnoses and the cost/outcome of procedures/tests/ drugs ordered.

You can keep your plan

Under pressure from Congress, primarily due to the dismal rollout of the federal exchange last year, the Administration decided to let consumers keep certain plans for 2014 that were not ACA compliant. Unfortunately, that decision inadvertently allowed many commercial insurers to raise their premiums on existing customers 11 percent to 18 percent for 2015. The reason being the Administration’s decision curtailed the expected enrollment of younger people who usually favor cheaper non-complaint plans, which in turn left the carriers with an older and sicker population. Analysts say the good news is that this should be a onetime adjustment.

George W. Chapman is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Syracuse.

To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Gloria Morris, MD, PhD Medical oncologist talks about improvements in chemotherapy, and ‘genetic counseling’ as a way to prevent cancer Q: Do you focus on a particular type of cancer?

A: Yes, I am board-certified in all of medical oncology, however, I have focused greatly on breast cancer treatment over the last 10 years since I completed my fellowship training. I am very interested in treating all aspects and stages of breast cancers as well as advising women of their breast cancer risk and making recommendations for prevention.

Q: You also do “genetic counseling.” Can you describe what that means?

I have a great interest in identifying possible hereditary gene mutations for patients who might be at higher risk for breast, ovarian, and other cancers.

It’s very important for women to not only know when to start getting mammograms but also when to see their doctors for further preventive strategies when their risk is even higher than that of the general population, based upon family history. Unfortunately, the general population is at a risk of one-ineight women developing breast cancer by chance. In many situations, about 10 percent of those breast cancers can run in families. There are now several inheritable genes that can identify whether women and their families are at an even higher risk for breast cancer, particularly in younger women under age 50.

Q: What do you look for?

A: Whether multiple people in a family have had breast cancer under the age of 50, whether there have been situations of ovarian cancers in the family, males in the family who have had breast cancer or prostate cancer, and those with triple-negative breast cancer.

One of the most readily available tests checks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are highly correlated with high risk for breast, ovarian, and other cancers. People of certain ethnic backgrounds may carry very specific gene mutations. We’re also getting a better understanding of what other genes may be mutated in high-risk families. In addition, there are testable genes that control repair of damaged genetic information and their mutation might put people at risk for other types of cancers.

Q: Do you perform any surgeries?

A: No, I don’t specialize in any form of surgery or radiation therapy, but I am trained to use chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for the treatment and prevention of breast cancers. We work closely with our surgical and radiation colleagues for the care of every patient.

Q: People seem to dread chemotherapy almost as much as having Page 6

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cancer. Is that treatment improving at all?

A: It is. Chemotherapy treatment is better supported today than ever before. We have better nausea medications than we did even 10 years ago. The protocols we have developed through clinical trials have allowed us to shorten the time of chemotherapy required to keep breast cancer from coming back. While it does have significant side effects, it is hopefully not as foreboding as some of our historical chemotherapy regimens once were.

There’s a lot we can do to help control the side effects and decrease the risk of infection. The other thing that has evolved in breast cancer treatment is gene-testing of the tumor to determine its likelihood of returning.

Some women with lower risk tumors can successfully avoid chemotherapy altogether. So there are situations where the cancer, based on its genetic make-up, can be treated with anti-hormonal therapy. In addition, there are multiple support services available today, including nutritional support, and mind-body support techniques.

Q: You’ve been gone for quite some time, but you are actually from Syracuse and did your undergrad at LeMoyne.

A: Yes, I enjoyed being in the biology program and the integral honors program there, after being inspired by my high school biology teacher in Cicero. I loved my very well-rounded liberal arts education in college. It was a very good foundation for medical and graduate school. I also volunteered in laboratories at the VA Hospital, which helped create my interest in research, and worked downtown at the American Red Cross.

Q: You were most recently in Queens, NY. What’s different about practicing in a big city versus a medium-sized city like Syracuse?

A: Syracuse, to me, is home. It’s very near and dear to my heart, very family-friendly, and I’d like to take care of the city that gave me my start. I have had very intense training and practice in both Philadelphia and New York City. I think it has grown me in terms of dealing with diverse populations of patients,

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

people from all different backgrounds.

I have seen a great deal of disparities, which make me want to do as much as possible to help people in need. In both large cities, I learned about the needs of those underserved, and especially in New York, the needs of people with language barriers. It also helped me learn how to take care of large numbers of patients, but still attend to them as individuals, each with fascinating stories. Syracuse is unique in that its a crossroads in Upstate New York and the benefits geographically and scientifically allow us to network with other major academic centers in the event that we need services outside of what is offered in the community. I’m very happy to be part of a medical community in this very comfortable-sized city that has brought cutting-edge, nationally recognized clinical trials to people in Syracuse.

I feel such benefits in returning home to Syracuse both personally and professionally.

Q: You worked at Fox Chase, Thomas Jefferson, and Mount Sinai hospitals, which are nationally recognized as among the best hospitals in the country. How long did you work there and what exactly did you do?

A: After I completed my fellowship

training at Fox Chase/Temple University Hospital, I worked at Thomas Jefferson for four years as a solid tumor oncologist specializing in breast and ovarian cancers, and headed several clinical trials in breast cancer treatment.

I also did population-based research on disparities among women of different races, which showed how more aggressive tumors were showing up in certain populations, in order to increase awareness and improve screening. I then worked at a private practice in Scranton, Pa., for three and a half years directing a cancer genetics program. In New York City, I worked at the Mount Sinai Hospital in various capacities overseeing chemotherapy infusion, taking care of breast cancer patients, and furthering a genetics program in a community hospital.

Q: You now work at Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York. How do you compare your work in Philadelphia, Scranton, and New York City and the work you do here in Syracuse?

A: I feel that my work now at HOA is the culmination of all of the above experiences because I get to treat patients with all kinds of cancers, and both participate in clinical research as well as collaborate with national experts to bring new clinical trials to our community. It is truly the best of all worlds among a wonderful group of fine physicians, practitioners, nurses, supportive staff, and integrative specialists, who deal so compassionately with their patients and their families.

Lifelines Name: Gloria Morris, M.D., Ph.D. Practice: Hematology / Oncology Associates of Central New York Hometown: North Syracuse Education: LeMoyne, Medical University of South Carolina Affiliations: St. Joseph’s Health Center, Crouse Hospital Organizations: FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), The American Society of Clinical Oncology, Christian Medical and Dental Association Family: Married (Alex Morris, pastor). Daughter, Lydia, 7; son, Mark, 4.

Hobbies: Being godmother to 6 nieces and nephews, cooking, reading, running

Should Medical School Go to Three Years?

if you’re eligible for medicaid and you need long-term care

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that by 2024, America will lack more than 90,000 physicians.

Numerous factors contribute to the problem, including an influx of 32 million newly insured people seeking care because of the passage of healthcare reform, the shrinking number of new physicians entering the field and the huge number of aging baby boomers needing care as patients and retiring from practicing medicine.

One idea for reducing the shortfall and getting more physicians practicing sooner is shortening the length of medical school by a year. Supporters — and there is a growing number of them — claim that the current four-year academic plan is passé since it was based upon recommendations a century old.

Current technology could help shorten medical school. But local medical school representatives aren’t as convinced.

At SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, dean David Duggan, a physician, feels confident that the fouryear plan is the way to go. Although other schools currently offer three-year programs with some merit, and during World War II three-year medical programs became popular, “the challenges are that compressing a large volume of new information and skills into an acquisition period that’s 25 percent shorter is hard,” he said. “There’s a lot more to understand now than in the 40s.”

Many three-year programs eliminate summer breaks, which stresses students. If a student needs to repeat a course, which Duggan indicated is common, there’s no time to do so.

“We’ve considered the potential to [offer a three-year medical program], but we’d like to see how some of the other pilot programs turn out before we take that on,” Duggan said. “By compressing the time, it also puts challenges on the resources available. There are more students and less time. Doing clinical time might be more challenging. We would have to increase our clinical capacity.”

David R. Lambert, physician and senior associate dean for medical student education at the University of Rochester Medical Center, feels similarly. He noted that prestigious schools such as Dartmouth have reduced their medical program from four to three years, but stated, “I don’t see why we should go to three. There’s a need for time for the student to mature more and time to do thoughtful inquiries as to what they want to pursue in their specialty. We need to maintain a competency based curriculum.”

Some also see benefit in saving students money on tuition because with less debt, physicians could afford to see fewer patients and keep rates lower.

Lambert isn’t sure schools would keep tuition the same rate for three years as four years.

“I don’t think economics should be a motivation,” he added.

Lambert’s colleague, physician

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Mark Taumban who serves as the dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center, agrees and said that regardless of how many years it takes, the same number of students will graduate per year. Shortening the time it takes to graduate “won’t clear up the bottleneck,” he said. “You’re not filling any new slots going from four years to three years. We would have the same 104 students.”

Lambert acknowledged that although some institutions are adequately educating physicians in three years, one should approach the question from the perspective of time instead of outcome.

“If we think we’re producing the perfect doctor, ideally equipped to provide the highest level of care at the lowest cost and the next generation of scientists that will help cure disease and produce the workforce that will run the medical center of the future, than I’d say maybe we can do this in fewer years,” he said. “But if we haven’t gotten there yet, and there are things we can do to make better physicians, educators and scientists better, what should we do?”

He believes that shortening medical school may save some money, but it won’t necessarily be the best move for providing the quality level that patients need.

Though teaching approaches such as technology-based learning and team training during simulations help save time, Lambert said that the school must first look at “what produces the best possible physician,” he said. “Then you’ll know how many years are right and what’s the right curriculum.”

He said that most medical schools don’t make much money and cutting tuition exacerbates the problem.

URMC has made progress in keeping current with moves such as giving all students iPads, reducing the amount of time in classroom lectures and increasing time for students to discuss medical issues.

“If we could do it in three years, we would,” Lambert said. “But the argument is driven not by the desire to get to a number of years, but to provide the best possible physicians we can.”

Time will tell if three-year programs become commonplace in Upstate New York.

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email cny-programs@alz.org. Upcoming meetings include: Early-Stage Support Groups DEWITT (Person With Dementia & Caregiver) Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church 5299 Jamesville Rd. Oct. 15 or the third Wednesday of the month, 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Katrina Skeval: 472-4201 x103 Caregiver Support Groups ONEIDA COUNTY Clinton Clare Bridge Clinton 115 Brookside Rd. Oct. 29 or the last Wednesday, 3 p.m.

Contact: Dianne Mahanna & Laura Wratten: 859-1947 ONONDAGA COUNTY Baldwinsville Baldwinsville Methodist Church 17 W. Genesee St. Oct. 14 or second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Contact: Eileen Krupka: 638-0814 Liverpool Keepsake Village at Greenpoint 138 Old Liverpool Rd. Oct. 11 or second Saturday, 10 a.m.

Contact: Florence Felt & Skip Collins: 849-2140 Manlius Manlius Public Library 1 Arkie Albanese Way Oct. 28 or fourth Tuesday, 7 p.m.

October 2014 •

Contact: Claire Duffy: 247-1775 North Syracuse Andrews Memorial Church 106 Church St. Oct. 21 or third Tuesday, 1 p.m.

Contact: Chapter Staff: 472-4201 Syracuse Kirkpatrick Day Program 441 W. Kirkpatrick St. Oct. 15 or third Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Jo-Ann Songer: 730-0877 The Centers at St. Camillus 813 Fay Rd. Oct. 21 or third Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Ellen Somers: 488-2951 x406 The Hearth on James 830 James St. Oct. 2 and 16 or first and third Thursday, 1 p.m.

Contact: John Ryan: 463-0308 Syracuse V.A. Hospital 800 Irving Ave. Oct. 1 and 5 or first and third Wednesday, 1 p.m.

Contact: Louise Choroser and Eileen Welch: 425-4400 OSWEGO COUNTY Central Square Divine Mercy Parish Center (St. Michael’s) 592 S. Main St. Oct. 27 or fourth Monday, 7 p.m.

Contact: Gail Lauricella: 676-7533 Oswego The Manor at Seneca Hill 20 Manor Dr. Oct. 29 or fourth Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Contact: Dianne Morrisette: 349-5341

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Making New Friends: It’s Never Too Late Question: I’ve been divorced for about a year now, and struggle with loneliness. I miss the friends we shared as a couple, but I’m just not comfortable socializing with couples anymore. I’m 56, and it feels awkward to try to make friends at my age. Any advice for me?

Answer: It’s unfortunate, but what you are experiencing often happens in the aftermath of a separation or divorce, especially if it was acrimonious.

Friends’ loyalties can be split and, just as you feel uncomfortable relating to your former “couple” friends, some couples feel uncomfortable relating to a now-single friend. So how do you meet new people and cultivate friendships as an adult?

Here are a few tips: • First, be your own best friend. Taking care of yourself matters. Loving yourself shows. The better you feel about yourself, the better friends you’ll meet.

Positive people appreciate and gravitate to other healthy, positive people.

• Do what you like doing. You won’t make friends sitting alone at home. Get

out of the house and do those things you enjoy, whether it’s going to the gym, walking your dog, taking a cooking class, joining a book club or any number of activities that are fun and active. You’ll meet people who share your interests and love of life. Friendships will likely follow!

• Consider a support group. It’s not uncommon for new friendships to be born out of compassion and empathy. A divorce or grief support group will put you in touch with others facing similar challenges. A friend of mine met her second husband in a divorce support group. She shared, “We got to know each other as friends first, and have remained ‘best friends’ throughout our marriage. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

• Say “yes” to invitations and opportunities to be with people.

Circulating at parties, neighborhood meetings, work events, etc. is one of the easiest ways to make new friends.

You’ll be out and about with people with whom you share something in common. Show up and don’t be

KIDS Corner Babies Born in the Winter Start Crawling Earlier Than Those Born in the Summer Study shows a seasonal effect on the pace of motor development in Israeli babies during their first year

T

he season of a baby’s birth influences its motor development during its first year of life, a new study by University of Haifa researcher’s shows.

Babies born in the winter (between December and May) start crawling earlier compared to babies born in the summer (June-November).

Forty-seven healthy babies with

Page 8

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typical development patterns were divided into two groups. The first group comprised “summer-fall” babies, 16 babies born from June to November, and the second, “winter-spring” babies, 31 babies born from December to May. The study consisted of motor observations in the babies’ homes when they were 7 months old, and a follow-up session when they began to crawl. Par-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

shy about extending an invitation to someone you meet. It could be a cup of coffee, drinks after work or walk in the park.

• Don’t overlook your family. My sister is my best friend, and she helped me re-establish a network of friends after my divorce. I had gone into the proverbial “cave” and lost contact with practically everyone. Her friends became my friends and now, years later, I enjoy the company of her friends, as well as my own.

• Rekindle relationships with old friends. Sometimes old friends drift away when you get married.

That’s not unusual. New priorities take over and establishing a new married life together requires time and focus. But now, when you’re looking to find new friendships, consider reconnecting with old friends. They were an important part of your life at one point, and may still have lots to offer. Pick up the phone.

• Give a “singles” event a try. Many divorced or widowed men and women find fun and friendship in community

ents were asked to record the stages in their babies’ development before and between the observations.

The study used the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), an observational assessment with high reliability, to track the babies’ development. The scale relates to four positions: Prone (on the stomach), supine (on the back), sitting, and standing. The average age at which the babies started crawling was 31 weeks. But while the babies born in the winter (who started to crawl in the summer) started to crawl at an average 30 weeks, those born in the summer (who started to crawl in the winter) began crawling at an average of 35 weeks, with no differences noted between the boys or the girls or in the initial style of crawling (belly crawling or using hands and knees).

The overall AIMS score was higher for those babies born in the winter, and the score for movement in the prone position, the scale most meaning-

activities organized just for singles. It could be a hike, bike ride, dinner club or dance. These opportunities are often included in community calendars online or in your local newspaper.

• Volunteer or join a cause. Supporting an organization or cause you believe in will put you in contact with people working toward a common goal.

Community gardens, political parties, hospitals, museums, animal shelters and many other organizations often need volunteers. Strong connections can be made when you work alongside others who want to make the world a better place.

• Join an online community of people who share your interests. Social networking sites can be a safe and satisfying way to meet people. One popular site is www.meetup.com, which facilitates group meetings in cities and town around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as nature, photography, hiking, books, movies, health, pets, careers or hobbies.

Good friendships make life better.

The company of someone who makes you laugh, who provides a shoulder to lean on when you need one, and who is just plain fun to hang out with is vitally important to your health and happiness, whether you live alone or not. So, if you feel your social network is too small, remember you can always meet new people, make new friends, and nurture existing ones. It’s never too late.

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her fall workshop or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-624-7887, or email her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com

ful in connection with crawling, was significantly higher for the babies in the winter group. By contrast, there was no significant difference in the scores for the supine position, sitting, or standing between the two groups.

According to the researchers, the findings strengthen the assumption that there is a window of opportunity for starting to crawl and stress the effect of the season on the start of crawling.

“The difference in crawling onset of four weeks constitutes 14 percent of a 7-month-old’s life and is significant,” the researchers note.

When Your Spouse Has ADHD Divorce rate among couples with one or both partners with ADHD is as high as 60 percent

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

R

earing children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can strain marital relationships; however, when one of the spouses has ADHD, the marriage may also suffer. Some studies claim that the divorce rate among couples with one or both partners with ADHD is as high as 60 percent.

“Anyone with ADHD has trouble with focus,” said Jeffrey A. Brentley, licensed clinical social worker and therapist in Syracuse. “Someone with difficulties with that has Kolb trouble with employers and other relationships. It may impact someone’s financial wellbeing.

It could become problematic with a romantic relationship.”

A non-ADHD wife may feel like her ADHD husband neglects her, shirks his chores and behaves like a child for all his irresponsibility. The ADHD husband may feel like his wife nags him each time she reminds him of his obligations.

Instead of “nagging” to help the partner stay on task, Brentley recommends using strategies to maintain that focus. “When it comes to work, if they have trouble getting upon time and

leaving on time, they can use alarms.

“For some couples, tools such as white boards, calendars, and the calendar alarm function of their cell phones can help prevent the ADHD partner from overlooking appointments and chores. Keep a list on the refrigerator for things to buy at the grocery store.

The simple things are often the most helpful.”

Just honestly and openly discussing each partner’s feelings and how they can support each other goes a long ways toward harmony in a home touched by ADHD. A non-ADHD person is more logical, methodical and goal-oriented. Someone with ADHD tends to think that everything is equally as important, and exhibit remarkable creativity and problem-solving skills.

With that comes a lack of focus, time management and ability to cope with a stimulating environment.

“Just say, ‘This week, I want to accomplish these five things. Today, I’m going to do this. And what are your plans?’” Brantley suggested.

People with ADHD also tend to “hyperfocus” on something that attracts their attention. For a child, it could be collecting toy cars for a couple months until the fascination passes and dinosaurs are the new obsession. For adults, a new love interest represents a huge object of focus.

That’s a challenge for any couple.

If you’re together with someone, it’s all

new and someone with ADHD is more intense. After a while, the honeymoon period ends. It can definitely be an issue for the non-ADHD spouse.

After their whirlwind courtship results in marriage, the ADHD partner often shifts focus to something new: work, hobbies or other people. Of course, every couple phases from the honeymoon stage to everyday, mundane life, but ADHD exaggerates that shift. The non-ADHD spouse feels ignored, even neglected, compared with how he or she felt during the dating phase of their relationship. The ADHD spouse may feel overwhelmed because there’s suddenly a lot of responsibilities and their spontaneity may not be as valued.

Brentley helps couples refocus on what attracted them to each other in the first place.

“Find ways to reinvigorate your marriage and relationship,” he said.

“Successful couples will still find a way to say, ‘What things do we enjoy together and how can we find ways to do things together? What are the ways we enjoy spending time together?’”

A scheduled date night and occasional weekends away can help the couple reconnect midst the responsibilities of married life and the added stress of coping with ADHD. “It’s critically important, as well as finding space for yourself,” Brentley said. “It’s important to remember to

do that on a regular basis, like watch a TV show you love or taking an hour a day to exercise, or doing the painting you enjoy. That’s critically important to manage your stress load.”

Counseling may help couples adjust to their post-dating life. Having an unbiased third party listen and offer advice can make a big difference, but professional counseling can target specific problems better and often offer better long-term solutions.

“Some people fear being involved with mental health services,” Brantley said. “But it can help them perform their job duties and sustain employment. Many people with ADHD are successful in work but they realize they need supports to cope.”

Gail Kolb, owner of Coach for Change Unlimited in Rochester, has worked with many ADHD couples.

She also said that counseling and coaching helps couples.

“None of the couples I’ve worked with ended up divorcing but worked within the marriage to make things better,” she said. “I think the divorce rate is true for those who don’t reach out and get help. [Instead of divorcing] they can turn things around if they get help early on and don’t give up.”

She said that in many cases, six to nine months of coaching offers sufficient help to a couple with ADHD, though some need occasional, ongoing support.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

My Turn

er antihistamines like Benadryl often make people drowsy or slow their reaction time. So don’t drive or operate hazardous machines like snow blowers, lawnmowers and chainsaws.

Expectorants, like guaifenisen, thin your mucus.

Thinner mucus can be easier to get rid of. Possible side effects are dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting.

A generally safe option for combating mucus is to wash it out with saline nose drops or sprays. You can even get more aggressive with a neti pot, a sort of miniature teapot that rinses gunk out of your nose.

One caution is to use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water.

Now for a final myth about mucus.

A change in color from clear to green or yellow does not mean that you have a bacterial infection. It simply means that your body’s defenses are working, sending white blood cells to fight off infection, which is most often viral.

Your white blood cells release enzymes that turn mucus those bright colors.

By Eva Briggs

Understanding Mucus

I

t’s that season of the year for sniffles and colds. The fall and winter uptick in respiratory infections probably has more to do with the clustering of people indoors, and the resumption of school, than with the weather change. More people in close proximity means more spread of viruses and bacteria.

One of the most annoying cold symptoms is excess or thick mucus.

What is mucus anyway? It’s a slippery secretion that covers mucous membranes, such as the lining of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. (In case you noticed the spelling difference, mucus is the noun, and mucous the adjective.)

Mucus is actually a fairly complex substance. It’s viscous, or thick and sticky.

It’s also a colloid, meaning a variety of molecules are dispersed

in the liquid and neither settle out nor combine with the matrix. Substances found in mucus include antiseptic enzymes, immunoglobulins, salts and proteins.

Your respiratory tract churns out about a liter of the stuff every day.

Now, who measured this and how they did it, I have no idea. Normal mucus is relatively thin, and most of it is swallowed unnoticed.

Its purpose is to act as your first line of defense against foreign substances. In part this is purely mechanical, trapping particles, and transporting them via microscopic hairs called cilia that essentially work in unison to shove the mucus coating and its trapped dirt, pollen, and germs up and out. The various imbedded molecules also chemically disable germs.

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Sometimes a virus, allergen or irritant stimulates your body to go hog-wild producing too much mucus. Or producing mucus that’s thicker and heavier and feels like more. What to do?

One option is to take a decongestant. Decongestants decrease blood flow to your nose, shrinking the membranes to relieve congestion, and decreasing mucus production. The downside is that the mucus you make will be thicker. This sets up the potential for a vicious cycle — thicker mucus, more decongestant, and even thicker mucus.

So use decongestants with caution. They can also cause dizziness, nervousness and increased blood pressure.

Antihistamines block the effects of histamines, natural substances that cause your nose to run and its lining to swell in response to allergens. Old-

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Formerly Conjoined Twins Celebrate 10Year Anniversary of Surgery

F

ormerly conjoined twins Carl and Clarence Aguirre celebrated the tenth anniversary of their separation in August with the medical team that successfully separated and cared for them at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).

“We are thrilled to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of one of the first successful staged separations of craniopagus twins in the world, also known as twins joined at the heads.

The surgery was groundbreaking and our knowledge from the procedure has helped guide similar successful surgeries around the world,” said physician James T. Goodrich, director, pediatric neurosurgery at CHAM, who led the surgical team that separated the children.

One in two and a half million live births are craniopagus and, according to documented medical history, the Aguirre boys were among the first sets of twins to undergo a successfully staged separation. Their delicate separation surgeries, performed in four stages over a period of 10 months, represented a new approach to an especially devastating medical condition. Since then, this method has been replicated around the world.

“We are honored to have played a part in helping these boys develop into the unique individuals they are today,”

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said Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center. “ When Carl and Clarence arrived at Montefiore from the Philippines in September 2003, they were already dying from complications of their condition. Doctors believe that without the surgery, both boys would have died within six to eight months. Ten years following the surgery, Clarence and Carl are happy 12-year-old boys, enjoying time in the seventh grade.

While Carl loves playing video games, eating ice cream and playing with his brother, Clarence is very outgoing and active, and enjoys swimming, dancing and singing.

“The doctors at Montefiore saved the lives of my sons and I am so grateful for every moment spent with them,” said Arlene Aguirre. “While they have distinctly different personalities, it is heartwarming to see them interacting, with Clarence acting as a big brother.”

Carl and Clarence continue to see Goodrich twice a year for check-ups in addition to seeing a pediatrician and neurologist on a regular basis. While the boys are still wearing helmets to protect their heads, doctors are optimistic that their bone will become more fully developed and there will soon come a time when they no longer need them.

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Also in the photo is their pediatrician, Robert Marion, chief of division of genetics, department of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx.

YOU don’t have to bring your results to your providers

Ask your healthcare provider to join HealtheConnections today! www.healtheconnections.org October 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Little Olives Deliver a Big Nutritious Punch

W

henever my friend goes on a diet, she quits eating olives. “Too fatty,” she whines, “too caloric, too salty.”

Whenever I hear her lame excuses, I read her the Olive Riot Act. The Olive Riot Act, painstakingly penned by me one research-laden Sunday, makes the following bold assertion: Olives are too nutritious to diss. I know, pure Faulkner.

But, it’s true. The humble olive, the bona fide guts of the most heralded oil to grace our palates since we got wise to the whole heart-diet-disease connection, has super-star health benefits.

Olives are an unusually rich source of healthy monounsaturated fats, a.k.a. the “good” fats. This particular fat — also found in canola oil, avocados and lots of nuts — lowers harmful LDL cholesterol, raises beneficial HDL cholesterol, and helps to prevent heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association.

This little globe of goodness also provides exceptional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, thanks to its diverse bounty of phytonutrients. A compound unique to plants, phytonutrients help to reduce both inflamma-

lower risk of weight gain. Since fats take longer to digest and olives contain a decent amount of fat, it stands to reason that eating olives may thwart the urge to snack or overeat. Girlfriend from above, do you hear me now?

As with nuts, you don’t need to eat a lot of olives to reap the benefits. On average, 10 olives contain 50 calories, 5 grams of fat, a bit of fiber, and zero cholesterol. Sodium-wise, olives vary greatly in content, with green olives typically containing about twice as much sodium as black. If you’re sodium conscious, be sure to check labels or search online for values before you indulge.

Helpful tips

tion and oxidative stress, two culprits linked to chronic diseases such as arthritis,Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Olives, which are a key component of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, may also stave off weight gain.

A Harvard study published in February found that people who followed a Mediterranean-style diet — a diet that favors whole grains, fruits and veggies, nuts and legumes, limited protein and healthy fats — had a 43 percent

Rinse canned or bottled olives before consumption to reduce sodium content. If you don’t use all the canned olives after opening, transfer the olives, along with the canning fluid, into a storage container. Glass jars of olives can be stored directly in the refrigerator after opening. If purchasing olives in bulk, make sure that the store has a good turnover.

Tasty Tapenade

Adapted from Ina Garten

1/2 pound pitted black olives, such as Kalamata

3 tablespoons capers, drained 2 garlic cloves ¼ cup olive oil 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1 tablespoon dried parsley leaves Salt and pepper, to taste 1 baguette, sliced and toasted Pulse garlic in a food processor until minced. Add olives and capers and pulse 5 more times. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, thyme and parsley and process until a slightly chunky paste forms. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on toasts.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes.

She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

Meet Your Provider

Bruce Stewart, DDS

Oneida dentist takes pride in being a full-service practice, offering state-of-the-art equipment I am a general practice dentist who takes pride in being a full service practice. We provide most dental services, which reduces the need for referrals out of the office. For me, it has always been very important to establish great relationships with our patients. We feel we have been very successful in this area because we have patients who have been with us for several years and we often get referrals of our patients’ friends and family members.

I graduated from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dentistry in 1982. I spent one year at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse in a general practice dental residency. I started private practice in 1983 in Syracuse and moved the practice to Oneida in 1987.

In 1999 I renovated a Victorian house built in 1906, to house my practice. I really wanted to have that “homey” presence for my patients. At the same time, I wanted to provide the most technically advanced

dentistry available in the area.

Comfort and excellence!

We started using digital radiographs and digital intra-oral cameras. This gave us a much better view of the oral cavity and reduced radiation exposure for our patients. Since those early days, we have also added: in-house milled crowns, guided implant placement, laser aided periodontal therapy, and 3-D cone beam CT scanning.

I decided to become a dentist because it allowed me to express both my technical-scientific side as well as my artistic side. I also find helping people very rewarding.

I really enjoy helping my patients achieve long term dental health. For some patients, that is as simple as a comprehensive oral hygiene program.

For others, it may involve laser aided periodontal therapy for treating gum disease, a root canal to treat an abscessed tooth, or single visit crowns to fix a broken tooth or simply bring

back the sparkle to their smile.

I would like people to know that dentistry doesn’t have to be painful or scary. We pride ourselves in performing painfree dentistry and work hard to reduce our patients’ anxieties.

I also would like people to know that new technologies have made dentistry much more efficient. This means fewer appointments and less time spent in the dental chair.

Dentistry doesn’t have to be expensive either. We are always looking for ways to make dentistry more affordable.

In the future, I see new technologies making dentistry even more efficient, affordable, and less anxiety-provoking. Because of this, we are alway looking for the latest in new technologies and techniques to enhance our patients dental experience and dental health.

Dentist Bruce Stewart and his wife Kristen reside in Oneida.

Dentist Bruce and his wife Kristen, who works with him in the Oneida dental practice. Located in a large, Victorian home, the doctor has been in Oneida since 1987. “I really enjoy helping my patients achieve longterm dental health,” he says.

Bruce Stewart DDS Dental Practice • 321 Main St., Oneida, NY 13421 • 315-363-4940

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

Life with Celiac Disease A mom writes about the challenges her daughter and family have to face because of celiac disease

By Christina M. McGlynn

M

y daughter, Sabrina DeVos, was diagnosed in 2003 with celiac disease.

Before her diagnosis, she would get sick often. I missed work frequently and she missed a great deal of school due to her illnesses.

She would constantly complain of stomach pain, especially after meals.

The doctor said she would outgrow this problem. The school requested I meet with a school psychologist, telling me that my daughter was suffering from separation anxiety, as she was often in the nurse’s office and missing school.

Separation anxiety? I stepped back and wondered if they were right. To this day, I feel guilty for even thinking that it might be separation anxiety. My intuition told me something was wrong with my child.

I was more determined to find the answer, and separation anxiety was impossible. My daughter was in the first grade and did very well in kindergarten. She loved her teacher, the school and had made many friends.

Another cold with fever came along and we were off to the doctor’s office.

Fortunately, there was another doctor on duty as our regular pediatrician was on vacation.

We discussed her history of illness and the doctor said he would like to do another blood test, but explained the chances of her testing positive for this test is one in a 1,000.

He saved my daughter’s life as this test was for celiac disease and the chance of a positive test is actually one out of every 133, not 1,000.

She tested positive, but the doctor did not know much about the disease.

He did say it could be treated by a glu-

ten-free diet and no medication would be needed.

Sabrina’s pediatrician referred us to a gastroenterologist. We had to wait a month for this appointment.

I was told to feed her a normal diet until she was officially diagnosed by the gastroenterologist because gluten must be present in her system to test correctly.

This was unbearable, as I hated the thought of feeding her food that was making her so sick. After research and calls to the Rochester Celiac Support Group, her father and I sat down and discussed with Sabrina that her life was about to change.

Her only question was, “Am I going to die?”

We met with the gastroenterologist and scheduled a small intestinal biopsy. Immediately after, the gastroenterologist stated it was celiac disease and that I could begin the gluten-free diet.

After her diagnosis, I wanted to introduce her to other children with celiac to show her there are others afflicted and they are living healthy lives.

Again, we were able to find great support through the Rochester Celiac Support Group where Sabrina made friends and we found a new family.

My kitchen needed to be cleaned and reorganized. Items with gluten were contained, the flour and oatmeal went into the trash, and the cookbooks were ordered as I needed to know what she could eat. We met with a nutritionist and were enlightened on what we actually could feed our daughter. In the beginning, she was also put on a lactose-free and gluten-free diet due to the damage to her

Sabrina DeVos with her mom, Christina McGlynn. villi.

Then the anxiety set in on how to handle sleepovers, vacationing, a trip to the movies, school lunches and even family gatherings. People thought she could have a little gluten; no one seemed to get it.

One crumb of bread takes a couple of weeks to get out of her system.

Gluten, no matter how little, causes damage to my daughter’s health. There is risk of cross-contamination, hidden gluten in food labeled “natural ingredients” and now we had to read food labels and call manufacturers if we found unclear labels such as modified food starch, vinegar and other hidden glutens.

Sabrina DeVos with friends from her Girl Scouts group performing community service at the Rochester Celiac Walk in Rochester in 2011.

She is the first on the right holding the banner.

Page 14

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

It was overwhelming, but we became educated. We read books and learned.

Our family eats gluten but we are very careful. For instance, we have two toaster ovens, one for gluten-free and the other placed away from everything for gluten items. We keep the regular bread on the bottom tray of the fridge and have our dry goods such as gluten-containing pasta in a small area of the cabinet.

Sabrina has her snacks in her own cabinets. We have two peanut butter jars, one labeled as gluten-free.

If you put a knife in the jar and spread the peanut butter onto regular bread and then place that knife back into the peanut butter to get more, the peanut butter is now contaminated.

At school, she was unable to indulge in school birthdays or pizza parties. The teachers would forget to let us know in advance of such celebrations, so Sabrina was left out, watching kids celebrate, and she never complained.

Once she was able to eat lactose again, we created an account with the school so that when the children were eating their cupcakes, and we were not notified in advance about the celebration, they would be able to get an ice cream from the cafeteria and charge it to our account.

Sabrina brought her own food to birthday parties, but was rarely invited over to friend’s homes for overnights and get-togethers and often felt left out.

She didn’t care too much to be left out of the celebrations at school, but I could tell she felt left out of the relationships beyond school and our home.

Again, she never complained. She would frequently have friends over for parties and overnights but rarely did her friends invite her over. I asked one of the little girls why she never invited Sabrina over, as this particular girl was over every weekend. She told me that her mother is afraid of Sabrina’s diet and then she chose never to have her over again.

Celiac Disease at a Glance Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect one in 100 people worldwide.

When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption.

When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body. Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a one in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.

Sabrina actually lost her friend over celiac due to ignorance. Sabrina is the easiest kid to have as a guest as she is sweet, empathetic, and hey, she comes with her own food.

Sabrina is not celiac; she has celiac.

Actually at her high school musical, it’s tradition that the seniors give the juniors awards for characteristics and traits, such as most creative, etc.

Her award was being the most gluten-free. It tore us both up and I happened to be there, picking her up from school. It killed me inside and I cannot imagine how it made her feel.

She never flinched.

Today, the gluten-free diet is becoming a fad diet. Folks think they can serve her gluten-free as now they are on a “gluten-free” health kick and so she thinks she is eating safe choices, but comes home sick.

Celiac is not gluten intolerance or a dietary choice for Sabrina; this is her life. When we go out to dinner, we talk with the cook and ask how food is prepared to assess the risk of contamination. If a restaurant says they have a fryer, we have to ask what else is cooked in that oil because if something that contains gluten is also fried in it, the oil is now contaminated.

The same thing can be applied to a grill as sometimes restaurants warm rolls on the grill when making hamburgers.

Before we travel, we find restaurants along our routes and call to find options along the way. We have one place locally that delivers gluten-free pizza and I remember when we had a pizza delivered for Sabrina. She was the happiest kid in the world. She actually had a pizza that she could eat be delivered to her home just like any other kid!

There are other things that she has to avoid that may contain gluten such as makeup, shampoo, even licking an envelope. I send self-stick envelopes with her when she is away at camp.

When Sabrina was 8 years old, I signed her up for a camp for children specifically with celiac disease, but it was all the way in Rhode Island and was a week long. She counted the days and was excited, but it was scary for both of us. The camp runs from Sunday until Friday, so we drove up on Saturday and spent the day together. We visited a museum and had a wonderful gluten-free dinner at a fabulous restaurant.

Sunday, we got to camp a little early and found a place to park to let some time pass. She began to show that she was nervous and told me she was a bit worried. I told her since we came all this way, we could go look at it and if she felt uncomfortable, we could just go home. Sabrina was concerned about the money we had spent for the camp, but I told her to not worry about that at all.

She seemed to feel more relaxed when the cost was taken out of the picture and she had a choice to go home.

To redirect her thoughts and make her feel better, we looked up at the clouds

in the sky and found shapes in them.

At camp, she made three friends while waiting in line for the registration process and then we unpacked in the cabin.

She told me that she felt great and that she would stay. Now, she cries when she is picked up from camp and she counts the days until camp begins.

Attending a camp like the one in Rhode Island lets her feel like she doesn’t have celiac as there are no worries about food. She doesn’t have to feel different from other kids. It’s a place where Sabrina doesn’t have to think about having celiac and is able to feel stress-free about her dietary needs.

She can just enjoy camp activities and make friends. It’s almost as though she doesn’t have celiac for the time at camp.

I volunteered as a camp counselor for this camp for a couple years, and saw what a wonderful experience it brings. There was an activity where the program counselor asked the group of children to form a circle and each one was to state their name and say one unique fact about themselves.

There was a little boy at camp for his first year that introduced himself and his unique thing was that he has celiac. The other kids laughed and said they all have celiac, but it doesn’t define us here. The little boy’s eyes lit up realizing for the first time he was not the gluten-free kid in the bunch.

He had to think of something that was truly defining of his personality and it turned out he loved to skateboard.

Sabrina’s always been the gluten-free kid at school. Every minute of every day, we think about gluten and how to keep it away.

Now, Sabrina is beginning to look at colleges and while she is checking out the majors and dorm rooms, I talk to the kitchens to see if they will be able to accommodate her diet. It’s yet another new challenge that she will overcome.

Sabrina has not been able to put celiac in the ground, but she is breaking ground.

She has been a Girl Scout with the NYPenn Pathways Council since 2002 and is now working on her gold award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout may earn. Her project is to start a gluten-free camp in our area so that children suffering from gluten intolerance and celiac disease can come and experience a gluten-free camp.

This camp is called Celiac Strong, and she’s reaching out to anyone who may want to register.

The camp runs from Aug. 1-3 and is for both boys and girls aged 8-15.

She also has some projects if any Girl Scouts are interested in a community service project as well.

For more information, visit Celiacstrong.weebly.com.

Christina M. McGlynn lives in Marion, Wayne County. She can be reached at cmalycha@yahoo.com. Her daughter is now 16 and attends Marion High School.

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Page 15

Women’s issues Pumping at Work Mom talks about the importance of breastfeeding after maternity leave

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

“

Breast is best” for babies, as promoted by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization. For many on maternity leave, continuing to provide breast milk may seem insurmountable when added to the adjustment of returning to work, leaving baby with a sitter and learning or re-learning to rearrange priorities around a baby.

Kerri Howell, director of public relations and marketing at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center and a mom of three, has become an old pro at pumping at work for her children. Her most recent addition, a boy, was 3 months old when Howell returned to work.

Howell considDwyer ers herself fortunate to have her own office where she can pump in private.

“It works out well,” she said. “It takes me 12 minutes. I have it down to a science so I don’t miss a beat.”

Howell uses a battery operated pump, a Medela Freestyle, that also may be powered by plugging it in. The lap-sized pump is very portable. She brings along a small cooler with an ice pack so she can chill the milk right

away and keep it cold until she gets home to her husband, Jonathan, who cares for baby Christopher full time.

“To be successful, you need people to give you encouragement and your partner should be on board,” Howell said.

Her employer also provides a breastfeeding room available for employees.

She advises moms considering pumping to plan ahead and practice before taking the equipment to work.

Wearing a button-down shirts and nursing bra helps make pumping more convenient. Howell uses disinfecting wipes on the pump parts throughout the day and sterilizes them at home after work, making them ready for the next day.

One of Howell’s children struggled to accept bottled breast milk; however, when the baby’s caretaker held a shirt Howell had worn near the baby’s face, she accepted the bottle. Smelling mom’s familiar scent won her over.

Most lactation consultants recommend starting pumping two weeks after birth so moms can establish their supply. Pumping on one side while nursing the baby on the other during the first morning feeding can help moms improve milk supply.

Although some women think it’s too hard, Howell said, “I encourage every woman to give it a try. If you do it for a few weeks and it doesn’t work, at least you’ve tried.”

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Breastfeeding after maternity leave hasn’t been without occasional bumps for Howell.

“I get slumps, such as when the baby starts eating,” Howell said, “and there are certain times when you’re not [producing] as much. I try to take care of myself and take supplements that promote milk production. But I’ve been able to continue for the whole year. Don’t quit the day you’re discouraged.”

Occasionally, she forgets to eat enough or drink enough fluids; however, she gives herself a break.

“It’s hard; we’re not perfect every single day,” she said.

Beyond providing her baby with the optimal nutrition, Howell feels that pumping milk for little Christopher after she has returned to work feels like a way to stay connected with his son. “It helps me to stay connected even though I’m working outside the home.”

Most insurance companies cover the cost of the pump because feeding a baby with breast milk helps babies stay healthy and lowers health care costs.

Michelle Dwyer, a registered nurse and lactation consultant at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, said that for the same reason, employers should support breastKerri Howell, director of public relations and feeding moms. marketing at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health “Most business with 50 people have to provide a private area for Center and a mom of three, has become an old a mom to go and pump where she pro at pumping at work for her children. She is feels safe and it’s quiet,” Dwyer holding her 3-month-old son, Christopher. said. “That makes it easier. They want to keep yourself healthy.” have to make some time to pump at The American Academy of Pediatleast twice in an eight-hour day. It will rics recommends exclusive breastfeedhelp to keep the milk supply up.” ing for at least six months and continShe suggests to moms who strugued nursing into the second year. gle with milk supply to take a picture “I commend every mother who of their baby with them as they pump makes a commitment to give their to avoid feeling disconnected from the breast milk to their baby in an envibaby. ronment where most have to return to She also encourages moms to eat work,” Dwyer said. “Six to 12 weeks a balanced diet, drink adequate fluids and avoid high-sugar and high-caffeine never seems like enough [maternity leave]. When you have to leave [the beverages. baby], you’re doing the best thing for “It works out better for moms to your baby by expressing breast milk have smaller, more frequent meals,” and bringing it home.”

Dwyer said. “You are sustaining life.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

Women’s issues Exercise Lowers Breast Cancer Risk in Post-Menopausal Women

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

N

eed another reason to exercise?

A recent study seems to indicate that regular physical exercise by post-menopausal women decreases their risk of breast cancer.

A French research team followed 59,000 women in that phase of life for eight and a half years. Researchers weren’t surprised to find that the exercising women were 10 percent less likely to receive a breast cancer diagnosis; however, the positive effect ceased once their fitness activity ceased.

The women’s activity level also surprised researchKort ers. The women benefitted from only four hours of walking or cycling per week, considered light to moderate exercise.

“There’s a lot of evidence [available] that this is true,” said physician Jayne Charlamb, director of the division of breast health and breastfeeding medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “We’ve had numerous studies showing that women who exercise more have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. As women stop exercising, it seems their risk goes back up.”

Kara Kort, board-certified general surgeon specializing in breast and endocrine surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital, encourages women to exercise, but said that the study has established an association between exercise and a reduced breast cancer risk, not a causal relationship. Still, “exercise is of benefit for many reasons as we’ve known for years but this is just one more...With so many other studies noting benefit with exercise there is likely something to this finding.”

Kort also drew from the study’s results that the weight, body mass index and exercise levels of the participants previous to the study didn’t seem to matter in regard to their lowered risk of breast cancer.

“In other words, if one woman was overweight and the other thin but both exercised or engaged in moderate recreational activity, the reduced incidence of breast cancer was still seen,” Kort said.

The women in the study engaged in brisk walking as their choice of exercise.

To make sure you exercise vigorously enough, equipment or professionals can help.

Exercise equipment such as a treadmill or fitness smart bracelet like Fitbit can give real-time feedback as to your metabolic expenditure. A personal trainer can also ensure you’re working hard enough.

Using an incline on a treadmill

or walking with weights can help increase the intensity.

It’s also important to set short-term goals so you don’t get discouraged. Reducing breast cancer risk isn’t much of a tangible goal. Instead, aim to reduce the time it takes to walk a mile or train so you can finish a 5K walk/run scheduled several months from now.

Others stay motivated by joining a club or group.

Knowing that others count on you helps increase the chances you’ll stay faithful.

“Find something you enjoy,” Charlamb said. “That’s important so you will feel like you want to keep at it.”

It’s also important to pick something you can do with minimal pain.

Arthritis sufferers often benefit from water aerobics, swimming or using an elliptical machine or stationary bike.

Keep in mind that regular exercise represents only a portion of your overall picture of health. A healthful diet, stress management, sufficient rest and avoiding tobacco products all contribute to good health.

Regardless of age, Kort encourages women to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.

“The benefit was seen in those exercising within the last four years,” she said. “It actually didn’t seem to matter if women were very active five to 10 years earlier. It also appeared that continuing regular activity or exercise was necessary. When the regular exercise stopped very soon after so did the protective effect. So the take home message here is to exercise or stay active and keep doing it.”

Spirit of Women at Crouse Teaches Health Information in a Fun Fashion

F

ounded by women for women in 1887, the Crouse Hospital legacy of caring for women and infants carries on today. So does the tradition of women leading the hospital, with Kimberly Boynton being named president and CEO earlier this year.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is women today remain the primary healthcare consumers and decision makers for their families. That’s why Crouse Hospital has become the exclusive Spirit of Women hospital in Central New York.

“Building on our proud tradition of caring for women, Crouse has joined this national program to expand and enrich services and programs that women need and want,” said CEO Boynton. “We invite women of all ages to become members of the Crouse Spirit of Women program. It’s free and easy to join and will give us all a chance to learn about improving our health together.”

Crouse Spirit of Women is about health and wellness education and empowerment, all while having a good time. Called “healthutainment,” where “u” are in the middle of your

health and entertainment, examples of the program include Crouse’s Day of Dance for Your Health, which took place in June, and a dress-up ladies-only party — titled Dress Up Your Life with Confidence and Good Health — which was held Oct. 2. Both events demonstrate to women and their families that learning new ways to get and stay healthy can be just what the doctor ordered when she tells her patients to take care of themselves first.

“Women have so many roles in life, including serving as their families’ chief medical officer, they often lose track of taking care of themselves,” explains Kathleen Miller Murphy, Crouse Hospital’s manager of community education and development, and Spirit of Women program coordinator. “We need to take time to do something good for ourselves. Whether it is a fun night out with friends or learning something new from our health education emails, Crouse Spirit of Women has something for everyone at every age.”

With more than 150 hospitals in over 100 cities across America, Spirit of Women partners seek to educate women and their loved ones about key

health topics such as physical activity for the working mother, keeping your heart healthy, the importance of mammograms and concerns from pre-pregnancy through menopause.

“Our Dress Up Your Life event touches on many of those topics, with a speed date your doctor session for women looking for a physician or to ask specific questions, a presentation about becoming your best self, professional bra fittings and answers to questions about mammograms, along with pampering treatments, shopping, live music, food and beverages,” added Murphy.

The event was presented in conjunction with Natur-Tyme and Y-94 FM. The evening’s festivities also included shopping at Nature-Tyme’s Closet for Charities, which will donate all proceeds from the event to the Crouse Health Foundation. Funds raised will be used to further the work of Crouse Hospital’s Spirit of Women HeartCaring Program. This innovative October 2014 •

initiative unites women, local physicians and Crouse Hospital to improve the cardiovascular health of women in Central New York.

Crouse Hospital wants women to join them for one or all of the upcoming Spirit programs.

“Together we can exhibit the kind of spirit that makes a difference in yet another generation of women in our community,” said Boynton.

Submitted by Crouse Hospital

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Page 17

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

Parenting

By Melissa Stefanec melissa@cnyhealth.com

The fuzzy wuzzies of pregnancy

P

regnancy is an amazing time. It’s also an incredibly difficult time.

Some women like being pregnant more than others, but I doubt there’s a pregnant woman out there who would say pregnancy is like an afternoon stroll in a sunny park preceded by a spa day and brunch. Pregnant women are troupers. In the chaos of aches, pains, lethargy and heightened perception, it’s easy to get distracted from the beauty of the whole ordeal. In order to redirect my minimal and ever-fleeting energy, I will spend this month’s column lamenting about the joys of pregnancy.

Baby bellies are adorable I have always found a woman’s pregnant belly to be adorable. The same goes for my own. There is something about a round belly that is just beautiful. There is a tiny, uncorrupted, adorable little baby bobbing around in that thing. How can that not bring a smile to my face? Getting to touch my adorable baby belly whenever I want is even better. I may not be able to accost strangers and acquaintances whenever I want, but I can certainly accost myself at will. It’s awesome.

Feeling the baby move This gets less adorable as the pregnancy progresses (no one likes a shot to the stomach or bladder, no matter how cute the perpetrator is), but those first few months of baby flutters are really amazing. Even as those flutters turn into blows, I stare in wonderment at my moving stomach. I also love feeling around for baby parts and guessing what I’ve discovered. Is that a heel or a knee? Even if I’m not certain, I am amazed.

People are usually very nice to pregnant ladies You know how some days you lose your faith in humanity? It’s a lot harder to do that when you are pregnant. In general, people are so nice to you when you are pregnant. They typically use their manners, say kind things and use common courtesy. They want to make sure pregnant ladies are treated well and taken care of. I’ve often said that if we all treated each other as though we were pregnant women that this world would be a far better place.

Going through pregnancy with your other children As this is baby No. 2, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my daughter experience this pregnancy with me.

Even though she is only 3, her amazement and growing understanding of the process is enough to get me tearyeyed. When she kisses or rubs my belly (without prompting), it melts my heart.

I love explaining everything to her and seeing her reactions. Pregnancy, labor, delivery and infant care are full of strange concepts to a little one. It’s great to teach her about the process and hear what she has created on her own. There has been a lot laughter.

Experiencing pregnancy with your partner

When this baby gets moving and my husband is around, I love watching his face light up. He laughs and coos and prods at my belly. It’s an intimacy that can’t be replicated. These moments are certainly fleeting, so I have to enjoy them while I can. Knowing my baby will have an amazing father only adds more joy to the ordeal.

Wondering what your baby will be like There is so much magic and mystery in a pregnancy. Outside of discovering your baby’s gender, there isn’t much else to know about this little creature you are nurturing. What will he or she look like? What kind of personality will he or she have? What will his or her goofy baby hair look like?

The possibilities are almost endless, and speculating about the outcomes can provide hours of fun.

You get to eat some extra food According to the National Institutes of Health, a pregnant woman should aim eat about 1,800 calories day in the first trimester, 2,200 calories a day in the second trimester and 2,400 calories a day in the third trimester. All I have to say to that is, yes, please. Yes to the cake, pie or ice cream. Within reason, this is the one time in my life I can indulge.

Getting to name someone It may sound silly, but this has to be one of the coolest things about reproducing. You get to start shaping another person, and it starts with a name. From there, you get to nurture and mold another member of the human race. It’s a daunting task, but it’s also an amazing privilege.

Knowing that someday soon, a little voice is going to call you mommy Being a mother is unquestionably one of the greatest joys I have ever experienced. Mothers are special. I could say a hundred mushy, gushy things about them, but barring a few deadbeats out there, we all know how amazing, important, and crucial our own mothers are. It won’t be long before I get to be that person to another person. Talk about amazing!

Editor’s Note: The photos of the author published in the last issue of In Good Health were takes by Jeff Madison at Creative Memories Photography of Syracuse.

Sarah’s Guest House Offers Home Away from Home Unlike Ronald McDonald’s House, Sarah’s Guest House serves adult population in need of care at local hospitals

By Matthew Liptak

S

arah’s Guest House at 100 Roberts Ave. on the west side of Syracuse offers 11 guest bedrooms to 700 to 1,000 adult hospital patients and their family members each year. The house is a home away from home for those in need of lodging while they seek care at local hospitals.

The facility provides lodging, food and transportation to and from hospitals to its guests for a maximum of $20 a night.

The hospital hospitality house is similar to Syracuse’s Ronald McDonald House except that it is focuses on serving adult patients and their families rather than children. It has been in operation since 1994.

Many have found the inclusiveness of a hospital hospitality house invaluable when it comes to getting treatment for themselves or a family member.

Included in that number is the office coordinator of Sarah’s Guest House, Sarah Valenti.

Nine years ago she, her husband and their 2-and-half-year-old son, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House

in Rochester for five weeks. Their young son was being treated in the city for a rare genetic disorder.

“I can’t imagine ever having not stayed in a hospitality house,” Valenti said. “I can’t imagine walking into a hotel room everyday going through what we were going through.”

The Valentis’ son eventually died, but Sarah decided she wanted to give back so she volunteered at Sarah’s Guest House. Today she helps provide the same kind of welcoming atmosphere in Syracuse that the Ronald McDonald House did in Rochester.

Although she said she is often asked, she is not the namesake of Sarah’s Guest House. That honor goes to the biblical Sarah, wife of Abraham.

That ancient couple once showed hospitality to a stranger and, as the story goes, were rewarded with a son late in life.

Sarah’s Guest House, originally named Sarah’s House, started as the inspiration of husband and wife Mary and Dick Keough and their nephew Billy Johnson. Johnson had appreci-

Sarah’s Guest House Executive Director Jen Coman. “We have served over 14,000 individuals with over 40,000 what we call bed nights in 20 years,” she says. Coman has been with the nonprofit for fiver years.

Ray and Dorothy Beers came two hours from Oxford, near Norwich, to lodge at Sarah’s Guest House on the west side of Syracuse. Ray is receiving cancer treatment at a local hospital.

Dorothy called their experience with the guest house “awesome.”

ated his stay at a hospital hospitality house while fighting leukemia. When Father John Ahern of most Holy Rosary church told the Keoughs about an unused house the parish owned they jumped at the chance to start their own adult hospitality house, the only one in Syracuse.

Billy Johnson became the driving force and inspiration behind the new house. He died from leukemia at age 30 in 1995, but his legacy of hospitality lives on through Sarah’s Guest House.

“We have served over 14,000 individuals with over 40,000 what we call bed nights in 20 years,” said Executive Director Jen Coman. “It’s about three nights per person average.”

Guests are welcome to stay much longer if they need. The longest stay Coman is aware of since her five years with the house is eight months, she said.

The house has a budget of $170,000 and receives financial help through grants from multiple foundations. The Saint Agatha Foundation helps provide funding for stays for breast cancer patients while the William Pomeroy Foundation provides funding for leukemia patients. The Jim and Julie Boeheim Foundation provides funding for all other cancer patients.

While these cancer patients don’t October 2014 •

have to pay for lodging at Sarah’s Guest House due to the grants, there are others with different diagnoses who stay at the house. Coman said she is currently looking for funding to help them too.

Sarah’s Guest House has one fulltime staff member (Coman) and two part-timers. It also has 40 to 50 volunteers who help things run smoothly.

The services the volunteers provide include making sure the kitchen is stocked with meals, housekeeping, clerical duties, gardening and special events.

“We really rely on them,” Coman said.

Gauging by the reaction of some of the house’s guests, Sarah’s Guest House is succeeding at making the environment welcoming.

“It’s awesome,” said Dorothy Beers, a guest from Oxford, near Norwich. “It really is awesome. A hotel, you have a room, you have the amenities, but there’s nobody there going through what you’re going through.

Here, it’s like you make friends because you have something in common. Even if it’s not good you still have something in common. There’s a lot of support.”

For more information on Sarah’s Guest House go to www.sarahsguesthouse.org or call 315-475-1747.

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Many Medicare beneficiaries qualify for some big savings and don’t even know it

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be able to get some help with monthly ctober is “Talk About Prescrippremiums, annual deductibles, and tions Month” and marks the beprescription co-payments. Some examginning of this year’s Medicare open enrollment period. It’s the perfect ples where your income may be higher include if you or your spouse: time to talk about Medicare prescrip– Support other family members tions and the “Extra Help” available who live with you; from Social Security. Newly eligible – Have earnings from work; or Medicare beneficiaries and current ben– Live in Alaska or Haeficiaries who are considering waii; and changes to their Medicare Part – Have resources limited D (prescription drug coverage) to $13,440 for an individual or plan, should act now. The Medi$26,860 for a married couple care open enrollment period runs living together. Resources from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. include such things as bank The Medicare Part D preaccounts, stocks, and bonds. scription drug plan is available We do not count your house or to all Medicare beneficiaries car as resources. to help with the costs of medYou can complete an ications. Joining a Medicare easy-to-use online application prescription drug plan is volor get more information by untary, and participants pay an Banikowski visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/mediadditional monthly premium for the care. To apply for the “Extra Help” by prescription drug coverage. phone or have an application mailed While all Medicare beneficiaries to you, call Social Security at 1-800can participate in the Medicare Part D 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask prescription drug plan, some people with limited income and resources may for the “Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan be eligible for “Extra Help” to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles Costs” (SSA-1020).

And if you would like more inand prescription co-payments. The formation about the Medicare Part D “Extra Help” is estimated to be worth Prescription Drug Program, visit www. about $4,000 per year. Many Medicare medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE beneficiaries qualify for these big sav(1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). ings and don’t even know it.

While we’re on the subject of open To figure out whether you are eligible for the “Extra Help,” Social Security seasons, the open enrollment period for qualified health plans under the Afneeds to know your income and the fordable Care Act is Nov. 15 to Feb. 15. value of any savings, investments and Learn more about it at www.healthcare. real estate (other than the home you gov. live in). To qualify, you must be receivThis Medicare open enrollment ing Medicare and have: season, while you search for the Medi• Income limited to $17,235 for care prescription drug plan that best an individual or $23,265 for a married meets your needs — see if you qualify couple living together. Even if your for the “Extra Help” through Social annual income is higher, you still may Security. That’s a winning prescription worth talking about.

Q&A

Q: How can I protect myself against identity theft?

A: First, don’t carry your Social Security card with you. Keep it secure at home with your other important papers. Second, don’t readily give out your Social Security number. While many banks, schools, doctors, landlords and others will request your number, it is your decision whether to provide it. Ask if there is some other way to identify you in their records.

If you are the victim of identity theft, you should report it right away.

To report identity theft, fraud, or misuse of your Social Security number, the Federal Trade Commission (the nation’s consumer protection agency) recommends you: 1 — Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the Page 20

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

following companies (the company you contact is required to contact the other two, which will then place alerts on your reports): • Equifax, 1-800-525-6285; • Trans Union, 1-800-680-7289; or • Experian, 1-888-397-3742.

2 — Review your credit report for inquiries from companies you have not contacted, accounts you did not open, and debts on your accounts you cannot explain; 3 — Close any accounts you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently; 4 — File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place; and 5 — File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-4384338 (TTY 1-866-653-4261).

wander off end up confused and lost, even in their own neighborhood, and are unable to communicate who they are or where they live. But there are things you can do to guard against this and protect your loved one.

Wandering Prevention

By Jim Miller

Wandering Solutions for Alzheimer’s Caregivers Dear Savvy Senior, My mother, who lives with me, has Alzheimer’s disease and I worry about her wandering away. What tips can you recommend to help me protect her?

Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 60 percent of people

who suffer from dementia wander at some point. For caregivers, this can be frightening because many of those who

New Generics Hitting the Market You should know that in 2014 and 2015, patents on a wide variety of popular brand-name drugs will expire and become available in generic. Some of them include: • Celebrex • Copaxone • Actonel • Nexium • Exforge • Cymbalta

• Lunesta • Avodart • Abilify • Evista • Maxalt, • Micardis

For a more information, Community Catalyst, a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization provides a list on their

website of the top 50 brand-name drugs and the dates they should become available as generics. Go to communitycatalyst.org, and type “Drugs Going Generic 2014 – 2015” in their search bar to find it.

You can also find out if a brand-name drug has a generic alternative by simply asking your doctor or pharmacist. Or, visit GoodRX.com, a Web tool that provides prices on brand-name drugs and their generic alternatives (if available) at virtually every pharmacy in the U.S. so you can find the best deals in your area.

Adult Day Health Services Comprehensive services in a home like environment integrating activities and socialization with the healthcare needs of all qualifying individuals.

For starters, to help reduce your mom’s tendency to wander, keep her occupied and involved in familiar daily activities such as preparing dinner or folding the laundry. It’s also important to encourage daily exercise and limit daytime napping to reduce nighttime restlessness.

There are also a number of simple home modifications you can make to keep her from wandering away. Some possible solutions include: adding an extra lock on the top or bottom of the exterior doors out of the line of sight; install child-proof door knobs or levers; place a full-length mirror, or put a “STOP” or “Do Not Enter” sign on the doors you don’t want her going through; or get a signal device or motion sensor that lets you know when the door is opened. See alzstore.com for a variety of product solutions. And, be sure you hide the car keys to keep her from driving.

It’s also a good idea to alert your neighbors that your mom may wander so they can keep an eye out, and have on hand a recent picture to show around the neighborhood or to the police if she does get lost.

Wandering Services If you want some added protection in case she does wander off, there are a number of services you can turn to for help, like the MedicAlert + Safe Return program (medicalert.org/safereturn).

This service comes with a personalized ID bracelet that will have your mom’s medical information engraved on it, along with her membership number and the toll-free MedicAlert emergency phone number.

If she goes missing, you would call 911 and report it to the local police department who would begin a search, and then report it to MedicAlert. Or, a

Good Samaritan or police officer may find her, call the MedicAlert number, to get her back home safely.

Another option that could help, depending on where you live, is a radio frequency locater service like SafetyNet and Project Lifesaver, which are offered by some local law enforcement agencies.

With these services, your mother would wear a wristband that contains a radio transmitter that emits tracking signals. If she goes missing, you would contact the local authorities who would send out rescue personnel who will use their tracking equipment to locate her.

Visit safetynetbylojack.com and projectlifesaver.org to see if these services are available in your community.

GPS Tracking There are also a number of GPS tracking devices that can help you keep tabs on your mom. With these products, she would carry or wear a small GPS tracker that would notify you or other caregivers via text message or email if she were to wander beyond a pre-established area, and would let you know exactly where to find her if she did.

To find GPS trackers, consider the PocketFinder (pocketfinder.com) or the Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone (alz.org/comfortzone). Or, if you have concerns that your mother wouldn’t wear a GPS device or would take it off, there’s the GPS SmartSole (gpssmartsole.com), which is an insole with an embedded GPS device.

For more wandering prevention tips and solutions, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Safety Center at alz. org/safety and This Caring Home at thiscaringhome.org.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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H ealth News Rural/Metro GM promoted to CNY regional director Rural/Metro Medical Services announced the promotion of General Manager Troy Hogue to the position of regional director. In his new capacity, Hogue is responsible for leading operations in a six-county region, including Onondaga, Cayuga and Oneida.

“Troy has vast experience in the ambulance industry at the local, state and national level,” said Mike Addario, vice president of Rural/ Metro Medical’s east operations.

“He started his career in 1986 as a senior paramedic with Rural/Metro, then known as Eastern Paramedics, and never looked back. I am very excited to Hogue work with Troy in his new role and feel he is the right person to move our Central New York division forward.”

Hogue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources management from the State University of New York, as well as additional degrees in EMS systems management from Davenport College and biology from Monroe Community College. He resides in Camillus.

Oswego Hospital has new internist Internist Joan Newell has recently joined the staff of Port City Family Medicine and Oswego Hospital.

Newell earned her medical degree from the University of Vermont and completed her internal medicine residency at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. During her residency she was presented an Excellence in Teaching Award three different years.

She attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and Russian.

Newell has been providing primary care services for the past three years at an outpatient clinic at the Cayuga

Medical Center in Ithaca.

She said she was looking forward to providing exceptional quality care to those 18 years and older at the Port City Family Medicine. “I’m excited to join the Oswego practice, both the physicians and staff Newell possess a very positive approach to treating patients with a focus on complete care,” Newell said.

Newell and her husband, a SUNY Oswego microbiology professor, have two young children. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, biking and running.

Upstate Medical appoints two new professors Physician Elizabeth A. Reddy has joined Upstate Medical University as assistant professor of medicine, specializing in infectious diseases. Her clinical interest is in HIV infection and her research interests are in the areas of HIV and HCV testing and HIV care and retention. Prior to Upstate, Reddy served in Tanzania as assistant professor of infectious diseases for the Duke University-Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center collaboraReddy tion and clinical research site leader for AIDS clinical trials Group studies.

Reddy received her medical degree from the University of Rochester in 2002.

She completed residencies in internal medicine and in pediatrics at Mount Sinai Aggarwal

For Your Health…

Crouse Names Neurosurgeon Eric M. Deshaies Medical Director Neurosurgeon Eric M. Deshaies has been appointed as Crouse Hospital’s medical director for endovascular and cerebrovascular neurosurgery, effective Nov. 10.

The development of a comprehensive neurosciences service line has been one of Crouse’s key strategic initiatives. This includes neurology, neurosurgery and comprehensive stroke care.

“We feel there is an opportunity to enhance these services and are excited to have a surgeon of Dr. Deshaies’ caliber and experience join our clinical team,” says Crouse Deshaies CEO Kimberly Boynton.

Deshaies, who will be affiliated with Crouse Medical Practice, specializes in brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations of the brain and spinal cord, stroke rescue therapies and skull base and brain stem tumor surgery. He is one of only a few dual-fellowship trained neurosurgeons in the country and the only one in Central New York.

As part of its ongoing development of neurosciences, Crouse began construction in July on two School of Medicine, New York, in 2006, and a fellowship in infectious disease at Duke University Medical Center in 2010. She is board certified in pediatrics and internal medicine.

Vikram Aggarwal has joined Upstate as assistant professor of medicine, specializing in nephrology. He is also a member of the Upstate’s transplant program. His practice sites are at the Nephrology (Renal) Clinic at University Health Care Center; University Dialysis in Auburn; University Dialysis in Oswego; and the University Dialysis

new ‘hybrid’ operating rooms in the Witting Surgical Center. These existing ORs are being adapted so that certain diagnostic and interventional neurovascular and peripheral vascular procedures can be performed by Deshaies and other members of the hospital’s neurosurgical and vascular service teams.

In practice for 14 years, Deshaies received his medical degree from University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He served as director of neuroendovascular, cerebrovascular and skull base tumor services at Upstate Medical University, where he also is associate professor of neurosurgery, neuroscience and physiology.

Deshaies has been the primary investigator on a number of brain aneurysm and stroke trials, which he will be bringing to Crouse. He has authored over 50 publications, including two books and over 30 research publications.

A fellow of both the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS) and the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Deshaies has served on many national committees in these associations.

He completed Fellowships in neuroendovascular surgery (Albany Medical Center) and cerebrovascular and skull base tumor surgery (University of Miami), and completed his residency in neurological surgery at Albany Medical Center.

Center in Syracuse.

Aggarwal received a bachelor of medicine/bachelor of surgery (MBBS) degree from Mumbai University, India, in 1999. He completed internal medicine training and fellowship in nephrology and transplant at Mumbai University, India. To pursue further training in home dialysis therapies, glomerular disease and renal transplantation, he joined the nephrology and transplant fellowship program at University of Toronto, Canada. For his extraordinary professionalism, empa-

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014

thy, and leadership in Toronto, he was awarded the Marc Goldstein Clinician of the Year in 2010. He is also American Society of Hypertension certified specialist in clinical hypertension. His areas of expertise are glomerulonephritis, renal disorders in pregnancy, hypertension, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation.

health champions for their work to ensure smoke-free spaces and promote cancer prevention through increased physical activity and good nutrition.”

Eastwood is the interim president for SUNY Upstate Medical University.

According to a news release issued by Cancer Action Network, Eastwood has led the effort to create smoke-free campuses across the state. In 2005 Upstate

became the first smoke-free hospital in New York state, and the first SUNY site to establish an entirely smokefree campus. In partnership with ACS CAN, Upstate has led policy change in all 64-campus sites of the State University of New York. In both the clinical mission and the research strategic plan, cancer is the highest priority at Upstate.

“The term ‘public health champion’ accurately describes the body of work of Dr. Eastwood,” said Bradley. “His ability to understand the power of advocacy and dedication to making an impact on the lives of New Yorkers has resulted in significant progress in the war against tobacco. Upstate is an academic medical center that leads by example in their cancer fighting efforts.”

PT Deb Groff joins C. Square Medical Center Physical therapist Deb Groff has recently joined the rehabilitation staff at Oswego Health’s Central Square Medical Center (CSMC).

“The patients have been great and I really enjoy working in this beautiful, spacious facility that features new equipment, including a state-of-the-art spinal traction table,” Groff said.

Groff has more than 25 years of physical therapy experience, working with both adults and children. She is certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) through the McKenzie Institute. An evidence-based approach, MDT uses effective assessment tools that lead to an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. “I have had a lot of success with MDT when treating patients with joint pain and other issues,” Groff said. “This is a very effective method that is focused on finding a direction of motion for the patient that decreases their symptoms.

After an extensive MDT assessment and then learning how to move differently, the patients can follow up at home.”

Groff earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Ithaca College and her master’s in education. She also holds a certificate of advanced placement in disability studies. In addition, she has taken extensive continuing education courses for a variety of conditions, including issues related to the shoulder, knee, pelvic/sacroiliac, ankle and foot, mobilization and taping.

Her pediatric courses have included toe walking, sensory dysfunction and autism.

Greg Eastwood honored by cancer group The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is honoring physician Gregory Eastwood of SUNY Upstate Medical University with the Donald A. Gemson Cancer Prevention Public Policy Award for his significant efforts to reduce the burden of cancer.

The Gemson award highlights the importance of leadership for broadbased policy change in the fight against cancer. A second honoree receiving the award is Edward Greissing of Sanofi US, the New Jersey division of a leading global healthcare company that discovers, develops, produces and markets innovative therapies .

“Advocacy efforts and broad policy Eastwood changes can result in huge, swift progress and our two honorees fully understand how to use the power of change to reduce the burden of cancer,” said physician Clare Bradley, president of the Society’s Eastern Division Board of Directors. “Dr. Eastwood and Mr. Greissing are public

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There’s more to healthy outcomes than what happens at your hospital or office. Many patients require ongoing, personalized support and care coordination, whether it’s at home or over the phone – and that’s where Today’s Options can help. Our care team supports patients following a hospital stay or office visit, ensuring they take medications as prescribed, helping them to schedule appointments, lead a healthier lifestyle, and more. It’s our way of working collaboratively to help create the best possible outcomes for both you and your patients.

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we are celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month Receive a free gift at your screening

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2014